Wow! I'm wordy today. Beth asked how I became a book reviewer. Several years ago, I belonged to a writer's group in Enid, OK. The newspaper editor spoke at one meeting. He said, "If you have an idea for an article or a column, send it to me." I took him up on it. I sent him a column idea called The Book Report. Always a fast, avid reader, it was easy for me to come up with reviews on new books. The newspaper received books from people wanting a review of their book. Those were usually regional books. I reviewed them and made a small name for myself, eventually writing a few features for the newspaper.
When we moved here from OK, the Enid paper thought they needed a local reviewer, so they dropped my column. I now review for Bookloons.com. I do not receive money for the few words I write, but it gets my name out there. I only read and review books sent to me through Bookloons. As you know, I sometimes say a few words about other books I'm reading. I recycle to books from Bookloons by taking them to Sleuth's or donating to the library.
Right now I'm reading Maeve Binchy's newest book Heart and Soul. She lives in Ireland and writes about Irish people. She is my daughter's favorite author. I prefer suspense myself. I do have another book review to write, Dangerously Innocent, written by a woman in Australia.
P.S. I have another student enrolled in my Write Your Life Story online course on Coursebridge.
About the mosquitoes. Snopes said Listerine didn't work. It doesn't kill the mosquitoes but it does make them fly away. When you spray it, you can see them leaving the scene. That is worth something.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Memorial Day
Memorial Day always makes me nostalgic. It reminds me of childhood when my mother made crepe paper flowers and dad cut wild flowers. We visited several cemeteries and decorated the graves of family members. It was a time to visit with people we hadn't seen in a long time.
In our community one grave always had several flowers on it. The grave belonged to a young man who was murdered and thrown into a pond. He was seen carrying a lot of money but no one knew his name. He was buried beside the pond, then later moved to the cemetery. The rocks around his neck to weigh him down were placed on top of the grave. The community placed a stone there. Most everyone who remembered him placed a flower on his grave. I wrote a story about him called One For the Boy.
A young cousin said she didn't want any plastic flowers on her grave. I doubt she has to worry about it as I believe the tradition is dying out with my generation. Years ago when my granddaughters made the usual Memorial Day trip with me, they told their friends they had to go visit dead people.
In our community one grave always had several flowers on it. The grave belonged to a young man who was murdered and thrown into a pond. He was seen carrying a lot of money but no one knew his name. He was buried beside the pond, then later moved to the cemetery. The rocks around his neck to weigh him down were placed on top of the grave. The community placed a stone there. Most everyone who remembered him placed a flower on his grave. I wrote a story about him called One For the Boy.
A young cousin said she didn't want any plastic flowers on her grave. I doubt she has to worry about it as I believe the tradition is dying out with my generation. Years ago when my granddaughters made the usual Memorial Day trip with me, they told their friends they had to go visit dead people.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Miscellaneous Stuff
Beth commented that a Book Reviewer was sued by an author. I can see how that could happen. Some reviewers are critical and snide in their comments. I see no reason to tear down an author. If a book is bad, I'll give it a bad rating and comment as to why I think it is bad, but also add a few good words too.
On the subject of reviews, Boston Scream Pie will be posted soon on Bookloons. It is an ok book but wordy with lots of adjectives and too many characters. The authors teach writing at a community college. You would think they would know better. It will be a 2 rating.
I worked with a professor once who was in charge of student journalism students. We read a lot of bad articles and news releases. But he never tore down the student's self esteem. Just told them where they could do better. He helped me a lot in my writing also.
Beth also commented that I must be a fast reader. I am. I read a lot more books than I comment on here. I can't afford my habit so I must borrow from the library. If I don't like a book, I lay it aside. I'm too old to have to read something I don't like. ;)
Mosquitoes - ugh!. They are all over. I received an email stating that Listerine would get rid of mosquitoes. So down to Dollar General I went and bought a big bottle of Listerine. Put it in a spray bottle and sprayed away. Will let you know if it works.
On the subject of reviews, Boston Scream Pie will be posted soon on Bookloons. It is an ok book but wordy with lots of adjectives and too many characters. The authors teach writing at a community college. You would think they would know better. It will be a 2 rating.
I worked with a professor once who was in charge of student journalism students. We read a lot of bad articles and news releases. But he never tore down the student's self esteem. Just told them where they could do better. He helped me a lot in my writing also.
Beth also commented that I must be a fast reader. I am. I read a lot more books than I comment on here. I can't afford my habit so I must borrow from the library. If I don't like a book, I lay it aside. I'm too old to have to read something I don't like. ;)
Mosquitoes - ugh!. They are all over. I received an email stating that Listerine would get rid of mosquitoes. So down to Dollar General I went and bought a big bottle of Listerine. Put it in a spray bottle and sprayed away. Will let you know if it works.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thank You For a Bad Review
Shirley commented on yesterday's post asking if I ever got hate mail for a bad review. I have not received hate mail. I usually try to be nice about a really bad book. I just posted The Two Bear Mambo. It was full of vulgar language and violence. But it is a really funny book. Wacky funny that is. I gave it a one rating. The author is Joe Lansdale. He has written quite a few books. So I guess someone likes them.
After the worst review I ever wrote, the author sent me a thank you note for reviewing his book. Go figure.
My next review book is Boston Scream Pie. I'll let you know what I think of it.
After the worst review I ever wrote, the author sent me a thank you note for reviewing his book. Go figure.
My next review book is Boston Scream Pie. I'll let you know what I think of it.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Just Catchin' Up
I see I haven't blogged in a while. The time gets away. So here's a catch up about what I'm doing.
I had a super Mother's Day. There was phone calls, cards and flowers from children and grandchildren away and a delicious lunch cooked by son-in-law Greg and Granddaughter Kim. Would you believe grilled steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and chocolate covered strawberries for desert? I am blessed with wonderful children.
I finished the fifth lesson in Jeremiah. God said the people of Judah were stubborn. They refused to listen to the prophets and followed their own desires. Their refusal to listen would result in Judah's downfall to Babylon. They had a choice. They could follow the Commandments and have God's blessing or they could reject Him and be destroyed. We also have choices to make in everything we do? Which way? The straight and narrow way that leads to God or the broad way that leads to destruction?
I've been reading. The Two Bear Mambo review will be posted to Bookloons.com soon. I don't recommend it. The Chameleon Conspiracy is already posted on Bookloons.com is an intelligence thriller. It is a very good book but very intense.
For pleasure I picked up A Body to Die For by G.A. McKevett from the library. If you enjoy mystery and humor, this book is for you. Savannah Reid is a hefty PI and former cop. When a diet Guru's husband is found dead, Savannah is on the case. Can't resist quoting a couple of sentences from the book. "If anyone were to suggest to Gran that she was lazy or carried any excess baggage, they might just receive a skillet greased with bacon fat upside the head. Along with the corrective smack, they'd get a lecture about how 'sportin' a few extra pounds to begin with got a lot of good folks through the dark days of the Great Depression. Gran was big on stories about the Great Depression, skillet smacking, and the incalculable culinary value of fresh bacon grease." A Body to Die For is a wonderful way to forget your troubles for a while.
I had a super Mother's Day. There was phone calls, cards and flowers from children and grandchildren away and a delicious lunch cooked by son-in-law Greg and Granddaughter Kim. Would you believe grilled steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and chocolate covered strawberries for desert? I am blessed with wonderful children.
I finished the fifth lesson in Jeremiah. God said the people of Judah were stubborn. They refused to listen to the prophets and followed their own desires. Their refusal to listen would result in Judah's downfall to Babylon. They had a choice. They could follow the Commandments and have God's blessing or they could reject Him and be destroyed. We also have choices to make in everything we do? Which way? The straight and narrow way that leads to God or the broad way that leads to destruction?
I've been reading. The Two Bear Mambo review will be posted to Bookloons.com soon. I don't recommend it. The Chameleon Conspiracy is already posted on Bookloons.com is an intelligence thriller. It is a very good book but very intense.
For pleasure I picked up A Body to Die For by G.A. McKevett from the library. If you enjoy mystery and humor, this book is for you. Savannah Reid is a hefty PI and former cop. When a diet Guru's husband is found dead, Savannah is on the case. Can't resist quoting a couple of sentences from the book. "If anyone were to suggest to Gran that she was lazy or carried any excess baggage, they might just receive a skillet greased with bacon fat upside the head. Along with the corrective smack, they'd get a lecture about how 'sportin' a few extra pounds to begin with got a lot of good folks through the dark days of the Great Depression. Gran was big on stories about the Great Depression, skillet smacking, and the incalculable culinary value of fresh bacon grease." A Body to Die For is a wonderful way to forget your troubles for a while.
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